Archaeology and landscape

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Overview

Archaeology is the study of the human past through physical traces left behind in the landscape.

Scotland’s rich archaeological heritage spans more than 10,000 years of human life and culture. Remains provide us withvital clues about how people lived, what their societies were like and how they interacted with their environment.

Teams across Historic Environment Scotland are involved in researching Scotland’s archaeology and landscapes.

Our archaeology and landscape research covers, for example:

minor routine archaeological works to support the conservation and maintenance of our 336 properties in care

Cultural and Natural Resources Team

Area of focus: Providing archaeological advice and programme management in relation to our properties in care.

Our Cultural and Natural Resources Team is made up of archaeologists and historians with considerable research experience in applied archaeology. The team has in-depth knowledge of the archaeology and history of each of our properties in care.

The team’s work often involves partnerships with universities, public bodies, charities and community groups.

Our staff are experts in a spread of archaeological periods, from early prehistory to modern times. Survey staff help us to illustrate and describe the sites and landscapes we explore.​

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Partnerships and funding

The reason behind archaeological fieldwork determines its sources of funding. The four main categories of fieldwork are:

routine reactive work undertaken across our estate to meet the requirements of visitor operations and interpretation delivery at sites

development-led – investigating archaeology in advance of its destruction by planned development

rescue archaeology – investigating archaeology before its unavoidable destruction, either by natural processes or human agencies

research archaeology – investigating archaeology to add to our store of knowledge and provide an enhanced visitor experience at our properties

Work following archaeological fieldwork, such as analysis, publication and archiving, is also usually funded by whoever funded the fieldwork.

Funding for our archaeology and landscape research comes from many different sources. These range from large-scale European Union collaborative project grants to support from small, specialist charities.

We often conduct research in partnership with others in receipt of grants from various funding sources (including local authorities and government agencies), e.g. Landscape Partnership projects.

We provide significant funding for research into Scotland’s landscapes and archaeology though our Archaeology Programme.

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Projects

Links of Noltland excavations

We’re leading rescue excavations at Links of Noltland in Orkney. Work began here in 2009, when erosion threatened the future of the prehistoric site.

Archaeological work here has revealed a brilliantly preserved farming settlement dating from about 3000 BC to 1100 BC. Discoveries have included the ‘Westray Wife’, the earliest artistic representation of the human form found in the UK.

Links of Noltland is under serious threat from climate change. We aim to excavate and record the entirety of the exposed remains to primary floor level before they are destroyed.

The site has featured on the BBC Two series Digging for Britain, while Current Archaeology magazine named it Best Rescue Dig of the Year 2014.

Final excavations are planned for the summer of 2016.Dune consolidation aims to protect the buried archaeological remains not yet excavated.

Tantallon Castle excavations

Our work at Tantallon Castle was an opportunity to get the community involved in building a better archaeological understanding of one of Scotland’s finest castles.

Following an extensive geophysical survey of the castle site, excavations were undertaken with help from local volunteers including the local Young Archaeologists’ Club.

Outcomes of the excavations included:

a more accurate understanding of the castle wards, including footprints of lost buildings

an opportunity for volunteers to get hands-on experience of archaeological excavations

a better understanding of how to manage and conserve the monument

improved interpretation, including a new suite of site graphics

a showcase for the link between archaeological evidence and historic events

The excavations were also the focus of both local and international lectures. We’re currently working on an interim paper on the results of the work.

Archaeologists at work at Tantallon Castle.

Research techniques

Our research takes many forms, from desk-based studies of various archives to archaeological excavations to answer specific research questions.

Usually a variety of techniques are used, including:

desk-based assessments

watching briefs, evaluations and excavations

traditional and digital survey

standing building survey

geophysical survey and remote sensing

palaeoenvironmental analysis

human remains analysis

the scientific analysis of artefacts and organic remains, including dendrochronology

Excavation fieldwork is undertaken in four stages:

excavation – the careful, and monitored and recorded, on-site work

post-excavation studies – the analysis of artefacts, fragments and records gathered during excavation

reporting – letting the general public know what knowledge has been gained from excavation

disposal – depositing records of excavation with archival institutions, and disposing of artefacts and ecofacts through the Treasure Trove System

Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy

Our Archaeology Strategy Team is involved in the development of Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy.

The strategy’s aim is to make archaeology matter, ensuring it plays a key role in understanding Scottish place-making and identity, to enrich and improve the quality of people’s lives.

The strategy, developed in partnership with the Scottish Strategic Archaeology Committee and colleagues across the sector, takes its lead from Our Place in Time, the historic environment strategy for Scotland.

Academic publications are linked to Canmore where possible and may also be made available as books and associated e-books.

Scottish Burgh Surveys

Scottish Burgh Surveys offer guidance on the archaeological resource present in towns, and the questions that archaeology may answer where development occurs.

Each volume describes:

the geography and topography of the town

its known archaeology and history

its historic standing buildings and potential for further investigation

Buy Scottish Burgh Surveys

Buy Scottish Burgh Surveys in the third series, published from 2006 to 2010 in partnership with the Council for British Archaeology (CBA), on Kirkintilloch, Tain, Dunbar, Mauchline, Maybole, Kilsyth, Barrhead, Govan, Whithorn, Fraserburgh, Wigtown and Galashiels.

Historic Dunfermline was published in October 2007 by the Dunfermline Burgh Survey Community Project, separately from the Historic Environment Scotland and CBA programme.

Volumes on Aberdeen, Coupar Angus, Cumnock, Dalkeith, Dunblane, Hamilton, Kirkcaldy Melrose Musselburgh Nairn Stornoway Stranraer Dumbarton, Forfar, Linlithgow and North Queensferry were published jointly with Tuckwell Press and Scottish Cultural Press, both of which no longer exist. Regretfully, these volumes are now out of print.